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More than 133,000 participants taking opioid painkillers were examined compared to those taking other sorts of drugs and the data showed those taking this specific type of painkiller were more likely to be obese, suffer from hypertension and to sleep poorly.

“There is a clear problem, the prescription rate has doubled, and the cardiometabolic health of these patients has not been good at all,” lead author Dr Sophie Cassidy told the Newcastle Chronicle.

The drugs have been linked with a surge in obesity

“These patients are much less active, they are sitting for much longer periods of the day and they sleep worse.”

The use of these strong painkillers have become increasingly controversial with the numbers prescribed during the last decade doubling in number.

In 2016 there were 24 million prescriptions for the drugs issued throughout the UK.

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Co-author of the study Dr Kirstie Anderson told The Newcastle Chronicle : “There has been recent concern about the addictive nature of opioids and a large number of side-effects, including worsening overnight breathing and therefore disturbing sleep.

“Few studies have looked at the impact of these drugs on metabolism. Our study is the largest of its kind to look at this group of drugs and show an association between obesity and poor sleep.

“Further studies are needed to understand how the drugs may affect metabolism over time.”